Conroe Independent School District trustees gathered on Oct. 20 to address how the district will recover lost instructional time after the September 1 school closure caused by dangerous weather. Assistant superintendent for high schools Mark Murrell explained that the district had already extended the school day beginning Oct. 13 to make up for that lost day, but the current calendar still lacks enough spare minutes to meet the Texas Education Agency’s minimum of 75,600 instructional minutes required by House Bill 2610.

Survey shows staff favor added minutes

To gauge employee opinion, CISD sent a district‑wide survey that collected 3,917 responses. The top three answers were clear: 43.4% of respondents supported adding five minutes to each remaining school day, 25.3% favored a smaller increase of two to three minutes, and 15.6% preferred using the March 29 date as a make‑up day.

Board decision reflects staff voice

Board member Melissa Dungan introduced a motion to preserve the March 29 Easter weekend and use it as an inclement‑weather make‑up day. After discussion, trustees voted 6‑1 against the motion, effectively adopting the staff‑preferred option of adding instructional minutes. “We got their opinion and what we got was a very substantial nod to add minutes to the day, and we want their voice to be counted,” Murrell said.

Impact on families and morale

Retaining the March 29 holiday avoids disrupting family travel plans, staff trips, and district morale that would result from turning a long‑standing Easter weekend into a school day. At the same time, the modest five‑minute increase spreads the make‑up time across the remaining weeks, minimizing the burden on students while still satisfying the state‑mandated instructional minimum.

Looking ahead to the 2027‑28 calendar

The board also previewed its work on the calendar for the 2027‑28 school year. Trustees will have a final vote on that calendar by Jan. 19, ensuring that future scheduling decisions continue to reflect community input and state requirements.

Conroe ISD’s approach illustrates a pragmatic balance: honoring family traditions, listening to employee feedback, and complying with Texas education law. By choosing a modest, district‑wide minute increase, the board protects both instructional quality and the well‑being of its students and staff.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.